Census workers held at gunpoint

TWO Census collectors found themselves in the middle of an armed robbery after knocking on the door of a house in Boonah yesterday.

Police said the bizarre incident unfolded about 11.15am when two burglars, one of them armed with a sawn-off shotgun, were disturbed by a person returning to their home.

The 55-year-old woman was confronted by one of the men at her front door, before being restrained, dragged to her bedroom and tied up with zip ties and rope.

Ipswich Detective Inspector Mick Niland said that a short time later, a man and a woman – unknown to the first victim – knocked on the door of the home on Mt French Rd, Boonah.

Although police would not confirm, it was believed the man and woman were Census collectors.

“During this incident, two other people have arrived at the house on an unrelated matter and they have also been ordered into the house, and they were restrained inside,” Insp Niland said.

Police could not comment on what the two male offenders were looking for inside the house.

In the end, they left with only two sets of car keys and two mobile phones.

Insp Niland said it was likely these items were only taken so that the victims could not call for help or leave the premises.

“Another one of the home owners, the woman’s husband, came home shortly before 12pm, to see the offenders departing the scene,” he said.

“He was able to then go inside and rescue the three victims.

“The whole ordeal lasted about 40 minutes.”

Police were still collecting statements yesterday and were yet to establish if any other threats had been made against the victims. There were no physical injuries, but the victims were said to have been badly shaken.

The offenders were described as clean shaven, wearing high-visibility vests.

Police were unable to provide a description of the offenders’ getaway car.